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Forecast for the Salt Lake Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty for
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Most terrain has a LOW avalanche danger.
If you're looking for MODERATE danger, you'll find shallow and pockety wind drifts in the upper elevations and loose sluffs that'll pack a punch in the steepest terrain of the mid and upper elevations. Remember that radical terrain accentuates the overall risk for otherwise harmless avalanches.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Enjoy spring skiing at Snowbasin Resort. The UAC has discount Snowbasin tickets available.
Like clockwork, the Week in Review has arrived. Catch up on the past week’s weather and avalanches.
Announcement: Join Drew Hardesty at 7PM on Wednesday, March 6 at Rocksteady Bodyworks for an interactive discussion on the State of the Snowpack.
The latest podcast is out. In this episode, we sit down with Ian McCammon. Ian has done as much for the avalanche community as nearly anyone over the past 20 years and recently received the highest award given by the American Avalanche Association. Tune in -
Weather and Snow
Old Man Winter continues to run the show in the Wasatch. Most areas picked up another 3-5" of 7% density snow overnight and we'll see perhaps another inch or two over the course of the day. Mountain temps are in the upper teens and low 20s. Winds are generally light from the west northwest except along the highest peaks and ridgelines where they have hourly averages of 20-25mph with gusts to 30. Skiing and riding conditions are really something these days.
Recent Avalanches
Ski area control teams only found a smattering of shallow wind drifts and loose dry sluffs with control work yesterday and this was mirrored by similar events in the backcountry. One skier triggered a shallow 4" and 50' wide wind drift in the Wolverine Cirque (10,400' northwest facing); another described a "river of slough" in the steep Memorial couloirs of Mt Olympus. For those new to town or just getting into the game, these areas do not represent most of the terrain in the Wasatch...but if you are looking for snow to move, this - as they say - is the place. To be clear: very steep and sustained, committing terrain.
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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Sluffing in the new snow on steep (40°+) slopes is expected. These are easily managed from above with ski cuts and by moving diagonally across the slope to avoid being caught up in your own loose snow avalanche. In forgiving terrain, these offer great opportunities to learn about moving snow. In, above, and below extreme terrain, they can be outright terrifying. Remember that radical terrain amplifies the overall risk.
Additional Information
Cornices remain a significant objective hazard. Continue to avoid being on or beneath these hulking monsters (pc: Bombard)
General Announcements
This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.